by Kathleen Costa

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an EBOOK copy of A Ghostly Secret, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

“Can you help me?” It has been six months since the ghost of a ten-year-old girl entered Emma Lee’s life, at the same time Emma Lee had been struggling to find some normalcy in the wake of her own family tragedy. As a ‘Betweener,’ one who sees dead people, she discovers young spirits can be very challenging, and the little ghost cat…no help at all. When she finds a twenty-year-old article about a girl gone missing…things start to fall into place. All of Emma Lee’s former ghostly clients have been recently deceased victims of murder, so a cold case and a victim so young having died under murderous circumstances is going to make this difficult. Emma Lee puts all her efforts into helping little Betsy Lynn Brady enlisting fellow ‘Betweener,’ a curious and very observant librarian, and her boyfriend sheriff. Someone doesn’t want this cold case reopened, but little Betsy needs to cross over, so the truth must be found…then, a wrinkle! Two clients? Are they related?

Emma Lee continues to find creative ways to communicate with her clients frustrated with the idea that someone might think her ‘funeral trauma’ has returned. Her ‘Betweener’ friend Debbie Dually helps solicit some key information from the little ghost setting Emma Lee off to use the library resources. Amazed that Emma Lee has even entered the library Maxie Watkins, the librarian, shares some interesting observations that lead Emma Lee to a decision that could be problematic. Sheriff Jack Henry Ross has been mulling over the offer to work with the state police, but his relationship with Emma Lee, one he cherishes, could be in jeopardy. Together suspects discovered, motives uncovered, and Emma Lee…turns thirty, wrangles Granny, and loves Jack Henry…all in a day in Sleepy Hollow!

I am such a fan of Tonya Kappes’ A Ghostly Southern Mystery series, it’s one of the few series that I’ve actually read every single book. This seventh book is just as exciting, but with a twist that incorporates a cold case without any direct connection to Emma Lee. Tonya focuses more on the ability to investigate from scratch using a variety of resources rather than personal knowledge of the victim and suspects. The characters continue to drive the story with love interests having challenges and losses being hard to adjust to.

And Granny? Well, for fans you know what I mean, and to newbies, Granny is an absolute delight, but also tests Emma Lee’s patience…you can’t miss her spiky red hair! This all adds such a realism that you feel connected to them and invested in the outcome. The setting of Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky and the southern mores, issues running a funeral parlor, and trying to keep Granny in check play out in the background along with Emma Lee turning thirty and dealing with the southern view that if you aren’t married at thirty, you are an old maid. You’ve got the book, now brew up a pitcher of sweet tea and sit in the cool of the evening…Enjoy!

A Ghostly Secret earns 5/5 Healthy Green Concoctions from Granny!

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To enter to win an EBOOK copy of A Ghostly Secret, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “ghostly,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 14, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.